Sea Fishing Loch Fyne, by Inveraray, Argyll, Scotland

Shore Fishing, Half a Mile South of Inveraray

Loch Fyne is a loch which we have fished many times over the years from the general area of Inveraray. The specific mark featured on this page was, however, a new one for us, recommended as offering at the time (our visit took place on Sunday, 17th July, 2011) good bags of thornback ray, dogfish and mackerel. It goes without saying that anything else which happened to chance along would have been more than welcome to sample our baits, which consisted of frozen calamari squid, mackerel fillets and sandeels.

The mark is located around a hundred yards past the Loch Fyne Hotel, as you leave Inveraray in the direction of Campbeltown. You will see a small track heading down towards the loch, where there is car parking room for perhaps three or four cars. You will literally be stepping out of the car on to the beach. This is excellent not only for security but in the sense that everything from the fishing trip lunch to tackle boxes can be left in the car and easily accessed as and when required.

A Semi-Panoramic Look at this by-Inveraray Fishing Mark

Click thumbnail to view full-size

The Loch Fyne Hotel from the top of the track

The car park (only partially seen) on the left is private to the Loch Fyne Hotel. In the unlikely event that no parking is available at the mark, alternative parking is available in Inveraray, likely to be on a "Pay and Display" basis

Looking in the direction of the Head of Loch Fyne (unseen and some miles distant)

Looking East across Loch Fyne

Looking South-West and further down Loch Fyne from the point where the cars were parked

Botanists May Find these Limited Representative Examples of the Weed Types We Caught at Inveraray to be of Interest...

The Beach and Fishing Ground Conditions

It may already be apparent from some of the photographs on this page that the beach is rocky and the fishing ground blanketed with weed, at least twenty to thirty yards out from the high water mark. This makes for treacherous underfoot conditions, especially at lower levels of the tide, and studded Wellies or similarly sturdy footwear is strongly recommended.

The weed present at this part of Loch Fyne unfortunately caused more problems than those experienced underfoot. It went so far out and was so extensive that even casting beyond it made for considerable difficulty on the final part of the retrieve. Although baits and even end tackle were changed frequently, there was not one occasion all day where a line came in not choked to some extent by weed. The images to the right are typical of what was experienced and give some idea of the extent of the problem.

Tide Tables for Inveraray

You can find the high and low tide details for the next 7 days via the link to the BBC website below. (Note: Remember to add one hour if British Summer Time applies)

Tackle Talk

Although we did have our spinning rods in the car, it became immediately obvious - from first glance at the venue - that they were staying there for the duration. The weed would have made spinning impossible. Beachcasters were the only option and multiplier rods and reels represent a distinct advantage for pulling traces through the weed alone. Surprisingly perhaps, there was only one occasion all day when a snag was so bad that the leader, trace and lead all had to be sacrificed.

A varied combination of end tackle was attempted at this mark. Artificial lures of many different types, baited and unbaited, all failed to produce more than a couple of tentative bites. The fish that were taken both went for larger strips of mackerel on plain Aberdeen hooks. Leads used were simple bombs from 4 to 6oz.

An audible cheer was heard as proof was obtained that there are fish in this part of Loch Fyne...

This 4lb plus thornback ray was the larger of the only two fish to put in an appearance all day

The Most Important Thing - The Fish

Afternoon high tide on the day of our visit was 3.06pm. It had been our intention to arrive very late morning, fishing the last few hours of the flowing tide and the first part of the ebb. Due to a combination of being ready to set out earlier than we had anticipated, the wonderful new M74 motorway extension and a distinct lack of traffic on the roads, we were actually at the mark, tackled up and fishing, well before 11am.

One of the first casts of the day produced a distinct "tap tap" of interest on a rod tip but for most of the day, only the crabs were munching on our bait, with even several artificial lures falling fatal victim to their attentions. It wasn't until after the tide had turned that the first thornback ray of the day was taken on a large mackerel strip bait. It weighed in at just over 4lb, with the second fish a more modest 2lb. Both fish were returned to the loch alive and apparently none the worse for their adventure.

Dave playing the waiting game while fishing this part of Loch Fyne

The Final Score

Five men, fishing for six hours, with eight rods between them, caught two fish. Hardly an impressive result by anyone's standards. There is little doubt that a combination of the extensive weed and shallow water conspired against us on the day. It was, however, an enjoyable day out in what is always a stunningly beautiful locale. If we were to consider fishing this particular mark again - and it is not beyond the realms of possibility - we would definitely be looking at a different time of year and probably focus more on the ebbing tide.

Thank you for your visit to this page and hopefully it has been in some way informative and beneficial to your own plans for sea fishing in Scotland. If you have any experiences of fishing this part of Loch Fyne to share, comments and feedback can be left in the space immediately below.

Comments

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sending

AUTHOR

Gordon Hamilton

4 months agofrom Wishaw, Lanarkshire, United Kingdom

Thanks, Bob. I'll give your suggestion a try. Haven't fished that part of the loch for a while now so am overdue another trip.

Bob johnstone

4 months ago

Were u fished is a spit at low tide cast into bay on Inveraray side 30/40metres float 2foot dropper mackerel. Strip around end march onwards October have had great results with sea trout .but . Beware cause u will be getting. Watched so its really catch and release maybe one for the.bag. great sport . Only problem is during season mackerel can be. Problematic

AUTHOR

Gordon Hamilton

4 years agofrom Wishaw, Lanarkshire, United Kingdom

Thanks, Stevie! Tight lines for next week. I won't make it fishing for the next few weeks - too much on - but hope to get up that way soon.

stevie mack

4 years ago

great sport fishing @ inverary and cracking article! cant wait to get some macks next week!!!! cheers mate! thx man! maybe see you there!

#gottalovescotland

AUTHOR

Gordon Hamilton

7 years agofrom Wishaw, Lanarkshire, United Kingdom

acc12, thank you for visiting and commenting. Dundee is a city I have visited briefly a few times but not one I really know, I'm afraid. I'm glad you enjoyed the scenery of this part of Scotland

acc12

7 years ago

Thanks for taking us on an awesome adventure in Argyle! My grandparents were from Dundee but emigrated to the U.S. Nice to see parts of the land they so loved. Beautiful.

AUTHOR

Gordon Hamilton

7 years agofrom Wishaw, Lanarkshire, United Kingdom

Thank you, Jacqui. Yes it is beautiful. Most of my many visits have been for fishing purposes but not all of them and the jail visit, the time I made it, was good fun! :)

jacqui2011

7 years agofrom Norfolk, UK

Great hub. Lovely photos. I love Inveraray and have been there many times. Thanks for sharing.

AUTHOR

Gordon Hamilton

7 years agofrom Wishaw, Lanarkshire, United Kingdom

It is a truly beautiful and unspoiled part of the world, Simone. We definitely still enjoyed our day out, despite the disappointments relating to the purpose of our visit! :) Thank you for the visit and the comment.

Simone Haruko Smith

7 years agofrom San Francisco

Hahaa, ok, so maybe the fishing isn't all that incredible, or at least it wasn't for your particular trip, but Loch Fyne is GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!! I should like to go there someday.

AUTHOR

Gordon Hamilton

7 years agofrom Wishaw, Lanarkshire, United Kingdom

Thank you very much, Ann. I think that this part of Argyll is among the most beautiful parts of Scotland. I'm glad that the photos gave you a taste of home.

annmackiemiller

7 years agofrom Bingley Yorkshire England

As a veggie I am not into fishing but anything Scottish - and I'm there - as an exiled Scot I am VERY homesick. Thanks for sharing these lovely photos. Voted up and stuff Gordon.

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